A New Beginning [Nortoruis]

DATE: JUNE 2019

It was a beautiful morning, clouds streaked with maroon and an orange sun quickly rising in the sky, the local radio station had decided to play something slow for once, Maroon V's “Sunday Morning” although it was clearly a Wednesday.

“An odd day for a graduation.” I thought with a sigh.

“That was a deep sigh son.” My Father said as he looked at me from the passenger seat.

“Yes, I’m overwhelmed I suppose, I never thought I’d see the day Shelly graduated.”

“Yes.” He agreed with a nod. “We’ve had a few close calls with her, if it wasn't for you guiding her she wouldn't be here today.”

“Oh hush Martin!” My mother cried from the back seat behind me. “I’ve had faith in my daughter all along, even if you two numbskulls didn't!”

My father burst out laughing at his wife's remark, “Beth’ it is your faith that drives all of us!”

I listened to my parents continue to talk as I got lost in thought.

Planning to have surprised Shelley I had told her I wouldn't be able to make it to her graduation, it had broken my heart to do so, the girl, always a drama queen refused to take my calls for a week after, but imaging the grin I would see on her face after my surprise it was well worth it.

Unfortunately, I was one that was surprised.

I had returned home the previous night, my car full of gifts for my family and my favorite sibling, to find that Shelley had spent the night with some of her friends celebrating. Ever the overprotective Brother I inquired into the family she was staying the night with.

My father, even more protective than I assured me of her safety.

The family was owners of the local bakery that had just opened up in town. The couple had two daughters, whom Shelley had befriended at school and no sons.

I was put at ease at hearing that and spent the rest of the night catching up with my parents and opening gifts.

We had gone to sleep late, and I was a little groggy waking up, my father, always a morning person, offered to drive.

It was just an excuse. He took any chance he got to drive my car. A 1960 Dodge Challenger RT, I had found in a scrap yard and spent most of my childhood fixing up with his help. The car was one few things that had bonded us as Father and Son.

I continued to listened as my parent's conversation grew heated and decided to change the conversation.

“Where are we all going for dinner tonight?” I inquired loudly.

“Oh, your father got us reservations at the Japanese steakhouse! Her favorite one!”

“You don't mean the one three cities away? It’s a two-hour drive!” I complained.

“It's her day! We want her to have fun! What's a two-hour drive for a day like this?” My father chastised.

“Its not even two hours Jonathon, it's only an hour and a half. Don't exaggerate.” I heard my mom say with a laugh.

“Alright, let's do it, it'll be fun. I haven't had Hibachi food in a long time anyway. The food near my college is all horrible.” I said with a shutter.

“Speaking of, when are you picking a major for college?” My mother said, changing the subject.

“I’m not sure Mom, nothing really interests me right now. It's well enough that I'm barely passing my classes.”

“ I just think it's a travesty that such an intelligent mind like yours should go to waste! “Bareley passing” my ass. You should be graduating Magna Cum Laude with your big head!”

“Not this again Mom! Today is Shelley’s day then we can all argue about me tomorrow.”

“How much further are we?” Dad interjected

“Not sure, check the GPS?”

“20 minutes.”

“Yikes, lots of traffic this morning.”

“All headed in the same direction as us I’m sure.”

I thought more for a moment at the coming festivities, my mom had sent a rather intimidating schedule. It would seem odly, the graduation would go on for over five hours with different speakers, presentations, and performances.

“This sure is a lot of hullabaloo for a simple high school graduation isn't it?” I thought aloud.

“How would you know? You were homeschooled. We got your high school certificate in the mail.”

“Best decision ever, not sure why we didn't do that for Shelley,” Mom commented from behind me.

“Because your daughter demanded to be put in public school! Or government school I should say!”

“Dad! Not again please, I don't want to spend the rest of this drive listening about how horrible the government is in handling everything.”

“Well it is! And they are!”

“We know my love, we know.” Mom said humoring him.

————————————

DATE: UNKNOWN

It would have been perfect.

A perfect day. Watching my little sister grow up, and watching my parents continue to lovingly bicker as always, but life is so unknown. During this conversation, two 18-wheelers sandwich us in on the highway. One of the drivers just the day before had just been dumped by his fiance for another man, he was going to propose to her later that week.

He had drowned his sorrows in bourbon and rum the the previous night, and vodka that morning. Despite all the **** in his system, he was driving well today. Or so he thought.

Just around a quick bend in the highway, a car had collided with a minivan further up the road, the minivan was on fire. None of them could have seen it coming. The first truck, to the right, braked quickly, swerving to his left. The very drunk trucker, not registering what was happening, continued driving, straight into the car and minivan. He was killed on impact. The truck to our right continued braking but in the process cut us off, we drove straight into his trailer.

I watched, in slow motion as our windshield cracked, then exploded, a large piece of it heading for my face as the airbag went off.

I didn't see or hear either of my parents.

I just closed my eyes, knowing I wouldn't get to the graduation.